Shoe shank



19 C. ZERGA Q` 9 sHoE sHANK Original Filed Oct. 9, 1922 2 sheets-Sheet 1 ZWTENT Zarka Zrya,

April 19, 1927. 1,625,346

C. ZERGA SHOE SHANK Original Filed Oct. 9', 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ras Zerya,

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

fr ics.

' `OHARLESSZERGA,;IOF.,PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE SHANK.

Application yled October 9, 1922,.Serial No.-f593,230. ReneWed" Septeinber.9,.1926.

'tho inner archzof the wearers'foot.

Another object of my invention is to'provide a shank of this ycharacter produced from suitable stift` material, suoli. as metal, that will combine a support with the standard shank to assist in retaining the shape of the'shoe and at the same time support the foot ofthe A further object of the invention is to construct a shank wing` that acts asa support for useby itself or in conjunction with the shankbody, said shank wing'being vformed as a receptacle member or as an integral part of the shank body.

'n still V"further object of the invention is to provide a slice shank having one or more shank wings in order that either or both sides of the arch of the wearers foot may be supported.

lilith these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. l is a bottom plan view of a shoe with a portion of the sole broken away to illustrate the application of my improved shoe shank.

Fig. 2 is a section at the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shoe shank separated from the shoe.

Fig. 4 is an edge view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a slightly modified forni of the device.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a diderent formation.

Fig. 7 is also a plan view of another formation.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7, showing the device applied to an arch pad.

Fig. 9 is an edge view of Fig. 8.

VFig. l0 is a perspective view of a further modification.

"ln carrying out my invention as embodied 'in'Figs l to`4 -inclusive,"2 represents the .upper of a shoe/3 the insole thereof which when secured to the upper produces'the lwelt l`4'between which in `the region of the arch is located a pad "5 but which in someV cases is omitted. To theseparts is-joined inthe regularwell known manner the shoe sole l6.

In the region of the slice arch is located -the shank body 7 which runs substantially lengthwise of theshoe and Withthisbo'dy is' formed the shank wing' 8 preferably'havking a reduced neck portion` 9 between it and the body. 'The shank wing conforms 'to'the general contour ofthe inner arch portion of 'the shoe and is "slightly arcuate in shapefas shown in Fig. .4, in yorder :to produce `the proper resiliency and if found desirable `ea'ch'endOfthe'wiiig may be bent `outward to form prongs 10 which are adapted to embed themselves in the leather outer sole when the latter is placed in position prior to secureinent to the other parts.

Where the device is to be used by a very heavy person the shank body and its wing are made in shorter dimensions as Well as much wider, as shown in Fig. 5, and if found desirable the prongs 10 may be eliminated. This latter construction will more readily support the weight of a stout person and better retain the shoe in its proper shape.

ln Fig. 6, the shank body ll has two shank wings 12, one projecting from each side edge of the shank body and connected therewith by means of the necks 13 while the ends of said shank wings are provided with the prongs 14. This construction is provided in order that both sides of the arch of the wea-rers foot may be supported if such is desired.

In all of the foregoing constructions the neck of the shank wings is joined to the body adjacent one end although never at the extremity of the shank body.

1n Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, I have shown the shoe shank as comprising only the shank wing l5 having prongs 16 at each end and provided with a neck 17 by which said shank wing may be vsecured to an arch pad 5 beneath which, in most cases, a shank body of well known ordinary or standard construction is adapted to be located. This shank wing may be attached to the arch pad by rivets 18 or their equivalent passing through holes 19 in the neck 1T and then through the pad.

In Fig. l0, I have shown a shank wing of similar construction, except that the holes 19 in the neck are eliininated and the 'free end of said neck is bent up and sharpened to provide a barb 2O to penetate the arch pad 5 and provide an additional point for einbednient in the outer sole when the saine is placed in position.

In practice the shoe shank may be attached to the inner sole by ineens oi rivets 2l or their equivalent which pass through the shank body, as shown in Fig. l, and if desired or the necessity arises the shank wing shown in Fig. 7 may be likewise secured directly to the inner sole with the resultant elimination of the arch pad.

As will be noted in Fig. l the shank underlies or engages the weltand inseam sewing so that this portion et the shoe will be reinforced because of the strains generaliy existing at this point. The prongs on the Shank Wing being embedded in the outer sole, said shank Wing is prevented from sliding relative to the outer sole thereby adding;l the desired stiiness.

A shoe shank constructed in this nianner not only provides 'for supporting the bottom messie part of the arch oi the shoe or the arch ot the wearers foot but also supports one of the sides thereof. This device will therefore retain the shoe in proper shape and in a. great many cases will provide snflieient support for the arch oi the Wearers toot to prevent or ease a fallen arch.

Oi" course I do not Wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown as these may be varied within the iiinits ot the appended claiins Without departing troni the spirit oi iny invention.

ii-Iaving;` thus fully described my invention, what I claiin as new and useful is 1. In combination with a shoe, a shank body interpofed between the inner and outer soles, a shank wing projecting :troni one side oil said body and adapted to underlie the side oi the shoe arch and ineans on the wing `for einbednlent in the outer sole.

2. In combination with a shoe, a. shank body interposed between the inner and outer soies, shank wings projecting` freni opposite sides oi the shank body and adapted to underlie the sides of the shoe arch and prongs at the ends of said Wings for embedinent in the outer sole.

In testimony whereof7 I have hereunto aiiixed my signature.

CHARLES ZERGA. 

